Covington Names New Co-Chair of Data Privacy Practice Based in Brussels

Covington Names New Co-Chair of Data Privacy Practice Based in Brussels

September 2, 2020

BRUSSELS–Covington has named Dan Cooper to lead its European data protection practice as co-chair of the firm’s global Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice, and he has relocated to Brussels to be closer to the institutions and courts that govern the European data privacy landscape. The firm has more than 100 lawyers focused on data privacy and cybersecurity issues around the world, including an industry-leading EMEA team with 35 lawyers across the firm’s Brussels, Frankfurt, London, and Johannesburg offices.

Mr. Cooper advises clients on data protection, e-commerce and data security matters and has over 20 years of experience in the field. He regularly assists leading technology companies, including social networking sites, online content and entertainment providers, and e-shopping sites, on their EU GDPR and global compliance strategies, and has deep experience with the regulation of mobile and e-health technologies. Mr. Cooper is also known for his ability to guide clients through the issues arising from data breach incidents, and has advised a number of high-profile clients in this area. In addition, he has co-authored the data protection standard that governs organized sport and has a number of clients in the sports industry.

Mr. Cooper is qualified to practice law in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States. He has been appointed to the advisory and expert boards of privacy NGOs and government agencies, such as Privacy International, the European security agency, ENISA, and the MI5.

“Covington has led clients through the evolving European data privacy regime since its infancy more than 30 years ago, and we have developed a deserved reputation as the leading practice on the continent,” said Kurt Wimmer, a Washington-based co-chair of the firm’s Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice. “We have grown our practice to meet the expanding needs of our clients around the world and are one of the few firms who can offer deep expertise in the United States, Europe, Africa and China. This growth is reflected in the deep bench of practitioners in EMEA, including Dan Cooper and Kristof Van Quathem in Brussels, Moritz Hüsch and Lars Lensdorf in Frankfurt, Lisa Peets and Mark Young in London, Bob Kayihura in Johannesburg, and a stellar team of associates. Although many firms have started practices in recent years, no firm can match the depth and experience of our team who focus on delivering practical and actionable advice.”

Henriette Tielemans, who previously served as a co-chair of Covington’s Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice, will remain with the firm as Senior Counsel while also serving as Senior Research Fellow of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), the world’s largest and most comprehensive global information privacy community. Ms. Tielemans also served on the Board of Directors of IAPP, one of the few private practice lawyers ever to be elected to the IAPP Board.  Ms. Tielemans received the IAPP Privacy Vanguard Award, the industry's top honor, for her lifelong services to the data privacy community in 2018 and remains one of the most respected practitioners worldwide.

Covington has an industry-leading data privacy and cybersecurity practice. Described by Chambers and Partners as an “accomplished group of privacy and data security practitioners” that “provides dynamic, practical, real-world advice,” the firm helps clients address complex, cutting-edge challenges to managing data privacy and cybersecurity risk. The team regularly draws upon Covington’s cross-disciplinary expertise to provide efficient and effective counseling and representation. Its work ranges from assisting large, multinational clients in conducting privacy and security audits—to assess the ways in which they collect, handle, and protect their customers’ and employees’ personal information—to providing regulatory compliance advice in connection with specific business practices. The firm has also represented clients in some of the most high-profile cases concerning data, such as Schrems II, that have drastically impacted the privacy landscape globally in recent years.

Covington’s practice provides exceptional coverage of all of the substantive areas of privacy and data security, including IT/technology, data security, financial privacy, health privacy, employment privacy, litigation and transactions. Its client list contains a broad range of leading companies across numerous sectors, including consumer products, banking and financial services, health care, Internet services, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications.

With global data privacy and cybersecurity lawyers based in Washington, New York, San Francisco, London, Brussels, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Beijing, and Shanghai Covington’s multi-lingual team has represented clients worldwide on a full range of legal, regulatory, and legislative matters involving privacy and cybersecurity issues.